Every so often, after working on hundreds of books, you get to be part of a project that feels less like a job and more like coming home. It’s a rare and wonderful feeling, like watching a close friend achieve a lifelong dream. That’s exactly how I feel about Sweet City Hearts & Kisses, the debut collection from a truly special new author, Emma Hartlight. I admit I might be a little biased here, but oh well…
Just a quick note before we dive in—this article is also available in podcast format. I’m a big believer in making content as accessible as possible for everyone. So, whether you prefer to listen while you’re multitasking, or if reading with your ears is simply a better fit for you (for any reason at all!), you have that option. You can listen to the full discussion right here.
When Emma first brought this collection to me, I was immediately struck by its warmth. It wasn't just one story. It was an entire, vibrant world packed into twenty interconnected short stories, all set in the fictional city of Cliffside. It’s a world so charming and full of life that even I, as her editor, found myself wishing I could book a ticket and visit.
Seeing this book go from a manuscript to a published work has been an incredible journey. It’s a perfect example of why I love what I do—helping to bring stories that celebrate connection, community, and the quiet, everyday magic of romance into the world.
The Author Behind the Stories
Getting to know Emma through this process has been a privilege. In the book’s dedication, she thanked me for believing in her, but honestly, believing in her was easy. She is every bit the "hopeless romantic" and "introverted extrovert" she describes in her author bio. Her passion for food, cooking, and her own cats isn't just a part of her personality—it’s the heart that beats within these stories.
From our earliest conversations, her vision was clear. She wanted to "capture the joy of falling in love for the first time and celebrate relationships where passion and purpose align." In a literary world that can sometimes feel saturated with heavy drama, her focus on gentle, affirming love stories felt like a necessary and welcome balm. We both agreed that these were the kinds of stories people needed right now.
Her love for the short story format was also a key part of our discussions. She sees them as "quick literary escapes," and I think that’s a brilliant way to put it. We worked to ensure each story in the collection could stand on its own as a perfect, bite-sized dose of happiness, ideal for a lunch break or a quiet evening or waiting for the train after a long day at work.
Building the World of Cliffside
One of the most exciting parts of developing this book was leaning into its unique structure. Sweet City Hearts & Kisses isn't a traditional novel, but an exploration of a community. The magic, we quickly realized, was in the interconnectedness of the twenty stories.
We had so much fun mapping out how a character from one story could appear in another. You’ll read about Millie, the sunny owner of Millie’s Flower Shop, and Knox, the grumpy-but-secretly-soft security expert. Then, a few chapters later, Knox will pop up as a side character, grabbing lunch with his colleagues. It’s this intricate web of relationships that makes the city feel so real and lived-in. As a reader, you start to feel like you’re in on the secret, fostering a unique feeling of familiarity.
We made sure to ground the world in a few key locations that act as anchors. There’s Millie’s shop, of course, and The Perfect Plate, an upscale restaurant owned by the famous chef Julian. And then there’s the Bean There Coffee shop, which I personally think is the quintessential "third place" where paths cross and so many of these love stories begin. Sneaky hint, shhh… don’t tell Emma I said this, but there’s more stories planned that center around the Bean There Coffee shop. These settings became the connective tissue of Cliffside.
The Comfort of Sweet Romance (And Meddling Cats)
If I had to pin down the vibe of this book, I’d say it’s the literary equivalent of your favorite cozy sweater. The stories fall squarely into the subgenre of "sweet" contemporary romance. This means they are intentionally low-angst, focusing on the positive and uplifting journey of two people finding each other. It’s a book designed to leave you feeling happy and hopeful. Okay, there’s maybe a teeny tiny bit of angst as the characters struggle with some internal or external conflicts as they try to figure out falling in love.
This feeling is reinforced by the book’s central themes. Serendipity is a huge one. There’s a strong sense that the universe is gently nudging these characters toward one another. Another major theme, and my personal favorite, is community. Because these characters’ lives overlap, we see a beautiful network of support that makes the happily-ever-afters feel that much more earned and meaningful.
But let’s be honest, the real stars of this collection are the cats. I remember laughing with Emma during the editing process about just how many feline matchmakers were driving the plot. Popcorn, Jinx, Fish, Spot, Marshmallow, Cinnamon, and Tigger—these cats are constantly, and often hilariously, creating the inciting incidents for romance. A cat gets stuck in a drainpipe; a cat escapes a shop; a cat that gets kid—ahem, catnapped. These meddling, furry cupids became a running joke between us, and they are an absolute delight on the page. They also drove me crazy since I’d sometimes get the mixed up.
A Glimpse into Our Next Adventure
Working on a debut is special, but it’s even more exciting when you know it’s just the beginning. I’m thrilled to share that Emma is already deep into her first full-length novel. She’s sticking with the sweet contemporary romance that defines Cliffside, but this time, she’s adding a layer of mystery for the couple to solve together.
The premise is inspired by that famously poignant six-word story often attributed to Ernest Hemmingway: "For sale: baby shoes, never worn." It's a line that carries so much potential sadness, but in true Emma Hartlight fashion, her goal is to take that starting point and weave a story of hope and connection, with a guaranteed happy ending. The novel is even titled after the line.
Emma was kind enough to let me share a small excerpt, where the hero first sees the ad:
I opened my laptop, and the classifieds website was still open. My eyes were immediately drawn to a new listing, a small, unassuming ad tucked between offers for used furniture and lawnmowers. “For Sale: Vintage baby shoes, never worn.” Attic Treasures. Inquire within. Contact: attic.treasures@vintagefinds.net. “Never worn.” The words resonated, a quiet echo of loss and unfulfilled potential. It was a strange thing to advertise, those tiny shoes. A story untold. A life unlived. My sister’s face flashed in my mind, her smile bright with the promise of motherhood, a promise cruelly snatched away. I stared at the ad, a strange pull tugging at me. It wasn’t just the shoes; it was the emotion behind the words, a sense of shared understanding, a silent acknowledgment of the fragility of life.
Those lines give me chills. It's fascinating to see an author take a fragment of sorrow and commit to spinning it into a story of hope. It speaks volumes about Emma's perspective on storytelling.
Ultimately, you should read Sweet City Hearts & Kisses if you’re looking for an escape that feels like a genuine community. The true joy of this collection isn’t just in the individual love stories, but in the delightful experience of seeing the world of Cliffside grow with every page. It’s the satisfaction of recognizing a name, the fun of seeing a familiar face from a previous story pop up at the coffee shop, and the warmth of feeling like you’re part of a neighborhood where people—and their pets—truly look out for one another.
This book is more than just a series of happy endings. It's an invitation to a place where kindness is the norm and love is always just around the corner. As the person who had the honor of helping bring it to the world, I couldn’t be prouder (and still a little biased!). It’s a truly wonderful debut, and it’s available on Amazon in ebook (and Kindle Unlimited) and paperback. I hope you’ll open its pages and let the city of Cliffside welcome you home.
Let’s Chat!
Once you've had a chance to visit Cliffside, I'd love to know—which spot would you hang out at first? Millie's Flower Shop, The Perfect Plate, or the Bean There Coffee shop? Let me know. You can find me on Facebook, via email, or through my newsletter.
And you can find Emma through her website or on Facebook, and you can sign up for her newsletter to be notified when her new book is out.
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